26th Week in Ordinary Time: Sunday 29th September 2019

The Old Testament prophets like Amos were not fortune tellers. They were concerned with the situation in the society in which they were living. They warned that if the people didn’t change their ways, there would be consequences. Amos saw the wasteful and very luxurious lifestyle of the wealthy who showed no concern for the helpless and forgotten. Wealth, resources and power were concentrated in the hands of the ruling class. This was not the way that God had instructed the people to live. Can we recognize the parallels in our own society today?

Paul referred to Timothy as a “man of God” and encouraged him to live a godly life, a life of faith in Jesus Christ. He urged him to follow his calling and then wrote to him of the sovereignty of God and of God’s immortality. It is a hymn to God’s power and glory. We also need to live a godly life and respect God’s sovereignty.

In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, the focus is once again on the lifestyle of the rich who show no concern for the poor and downtrodden. This attitude is totally opposed to traditional Hebrew teaching, in which wealthy people are responsible for the poor. Jesus was addressing those who loved money and hoarded it rather than sharing with those less fortunate. The rich man was punished not because he was rich but because he ignored the plight of Lazarus when he had the means to help.

Lord, help me to be faithful to You by being generous with others.